//------------------------------//
// The Response 
// Story: The Letter(s) 
// by starcoder 
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Dear TAS,

First of all, many students get nervous talking to staff, so I don't blame you there. Although, I'm free through letters and in person, whichever works best for you.

I'm sorry to hear that you've been feeling this way. I know exactly the feeling, and I've been given practices to cope with these before. I'd be glad to share with you one of my favorites: Compliments. You should give yourself three compliments daily, to make yourself feel better. If that doesn't work, or you can't think of any, then try to compliment somepony else. You should also write down the compliments and the pony or creature you give them too, just so that you don't reuse them. It helps you sound more genuine with your praises.

Also, I've spoken with Twilight and her friends, and they're totally fine with the bonding assignments. Twilight especially thought it was smart. She'll be making an announcement for that in all periods of her Magic Class. I hope you'll be there to see it during Period 3.

If you'd like general advice on being a good friend, I honestly don't have much. Just be yourself, show your Spirits of Harmony, and most importantly, listen. If you listen to the other pony, I guarantee it will make friendship a lot easier. I hope all these tips help you, although it's not much.

Lastly, we can start exchanging letters either by my door or on Twilight's desk. Wherever I find the next letter will be where our written therapy letter exchanges will be held. 

I'm glad you're trying to work through obstacles; I can tell it's very hard for you. The best part is that you are unlike some ponies. The ponies like you always face obstacles, but they will ask for help eventually. I see this great quality in you: the quality of boldness. Most are afraid to ask questions, while I see you are not. Not only that, but you appear to be an introvert. I'm sure it must be even harder to speak up when anyone's in that place. I'm glad you're bold for an introvert, honest, and I love the way you write.
(Yes, those were my three compliments to you, just as an example).

Sincerely,

Starlight Glimmer


P.S. I attached a decorative mailbox on my door, inspired by your letter. Students can now leave me messages and requests on the inbox. I'm making note to announce that.





She floated the letter out of her saddlebag and looked around to make sure nopony had made a connection between her, her current letter, and the letter on Twilight's desk. As she had walked into the classroom during Period 3, she teleported the envelope into her bag while Twilight was teaching some things about friendship. 

Near the end of the class, just when she was about to leave, Twilight had announced the project she had suggested. She would be assigning different students to different students. Maybe it would be like a Hearth's Warming Helper, maybe it would just be a back and forth exchange. Twilight was currently indecisive, so she would probably discuss it with her friends after school today. The final exchange and all its details would be announced tomorrow, which was a Friday. That meant they would have the whole weekend to work on it, whatever it was. Maybe it didn't even require a weekend.

She slipped the letter back in her bag and started writing another letter. It was fine to waste her lunch period writing letters, as lunch was basically friend bonding period. Everyone in the school had lunch as a break from their classes, even the teachers and staff. With a sigh, she finished the letter and drank a bottle of water. Lunch, in her opinion, wasn't crucial. She folded the response letter and teleported a letter to herself. It was probably from the teachers' lounge, which wasn't good, because there was a chance that a teacher was currently in there and that they saw it disappear.

She laughed at the thought. Well, it was possible, but she was just being paranoia. As always. She walked through the halls, avoiding any crowds or eyes on her. As she walked by the counseling office, she quickly slipped it into the mailbox on the door. She quietly went back to her desk and sat down just as the bell rang. As everyone walked into the classroom, she put on a nervous smile. Throughout the day, all she could think about was if what she had written was good enough. She also wondered how the response to it would turn out. Would she like it or not?

She shook her head and moved on with the school day. At the end of the day, when it was near dark, she left the school with a lot on her mind. Tomorrow, many announcements would be made. One for her stupid mailbox idea, and another for the bonding assignment Twilight had liked. She was rather shocked that Twilight had liked the idea, especially the fact that she agreed to it wholeheartedly, but it was definitely more a good thing than a bad one. She was just being pessimistic was all.

She had a quick dinner, making sure to avoid making conversation or contact at all with anypony else. She snuck around the halls for a bit to swipe a few pieces of letter paper, envelopes, and seals. Just in case. She never knew when she would need them in a rush and didn't have time to just find an envelope, a sheet of paper, and a seal in time. It was always better to be safe than sorry, as the saying often goes.

Right after, she slipped into bed, her eyelids unknowingly falling slowly. Soon enough, she was asleep, just left to dream about all the things tomorrow might bring.

It included announcements that probably put her in the spotlight, more sneaking around the halls alone and with mysterious letters, but friendship help in class. It would be a mixture of happiness and anxiety.

She would just have to wait a few hours to see what events would occur, just like on any other night.